A recent run of wet summers in the UK could be caused by substantial warming of the North Atlantic Ocean, according to a new scientific study.

A shift in European climate in the 1990s to mild, wet summers in the north and hot and dry summers in the south is linked to the warm phase in a pattern of rising and falling sea surface temperatures in the North Atlantic Ocean, research published online in Nature Geoscience has shown.

Floods swept through the North of England after one of the wettest Septembers in decades.There were fears that the modern housing blocks could crumple as torrents of water washed away their foundations

Researchers compared three periods in this cycle - a warm period between 1931 and 1960, a cool period from 1961 to 1990 and the most recent warm state starting in the 1990s.

The Met Office released the above satellite shot of Britain, shrouded in cloud after September floods

The patterns of European climate change in the 1990s were similar to earlier changes attributed to the influence of the North Atlantic Ocean, the study found.

Cars were drenched in the oceanic suds in the coastal village of Fittie in Aberdeen as winds whipped up a storm across the seafront, covering the village in foam earlier in September

The last warm phase between 1931 and 1960 brought a string of wet summers including floods in the Devon village of Lynmouth in August 1952 which destroyed homes, washed away cars and killed 34 people.

An aerial view showing flood water from the River Ouse in York, North Yorkshire as communities were warned of the possibility of more flooding earlier in September

This summer has been the wettest in England and Wales for 100 years, according to new figures.

Data released by MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, showed that 14.25in (362mm) of rain has fallen in June, July and August so far, making it the wettest summer since 1912.

Authors Rowan Sutton and Buwen Dong, of the UK National Centre for Atmospheric Science, at the University of Reading, said the current pattern of wet summers may be expected to continue as long as the present warm phase persists.

But they added that it was uncertain how long this period of time would be.

A car is submerged in mud after the waters subsided in an area of Newcastle following September floods

Speaking to the Guardian newspaper, Mr Sutton said the switch could happen as rapidly as in two to three years time.
The research has been published after England and Wales endured the wettest summer for 100 years.

Data released by MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, at the end of August, showed that 14.25in (362mm) of rain has fallen in June, July and August, making it the wettest summer since 1912.

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Water Cascades past houses in Newburn, Newcastle today after yesterdays floods left them in a state of collapse.

Water Cascades past houses in Newburn, Newcastle today after yesterdays floods left them in a state of collapse.

An aerial view showing cars travelling along the A64 Scarborough to Leeds road as it passes over flood water from the River Ouse in York, North Yorkshire, communities are being warned of the possibility of more flooding after the most intense September storm for decades left 400 homes and businesses flooded and caused widespread chaos.

An aerial view showing the village of Sutton upon Derwent, East Yorkshire, surrounded by flood water from the nearby River Derwent as communities are being warned of the possibility of more flooding after the most intense September storm for decades left 400 homes and businesses flooded and caused widespread chaos.

The High Street, in Newburn, Newcastle, where flooding has left business owners devastated and deposited huge amounts of mud and debris.

The High Street, in Newburn, Newcastle, where flooding has left business owners devastated and deposited huge amounts of mud and debris.

Two actors from a tourist attraction The York Dungeon, make their way into work along a flooded street in York as the River Ouse continues to rise today following the torrential rainfalls of the past few days.

Residents carry sandbags to riverside properties in York as the River Ouse continues to rise today following the torrential rainfalls of the past few days.

Riverside offices were difficult to access with rising floodwater in York as the River Ouse continues to rise today following the torrential rainfalls of the past few days.

Floodwater rises in York as the River Ouse continues to rise today following the torrential rainfalls of the past few days.

Floodwaters rise in city centre streets in York as the River Ouse continues to rise today following the torrential rainfalls of the past few days.

A car submerged from yesterday's floods in Newburn in Newcastle.

A car submerged from yesterday's floods in Newburn in Newcastle. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday September 26, 2012. Communities are being warned of the possibility of more flooding after the most intense September storm for decades left homes and businesses flooded and caused widespread chaos. See PA story WEATHER Wet PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday September 26, 2012. Photo credit should read: Owen Humpreys/PA Wire

A car submerged from yesterday's floods in Newburn in Newcastle. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday September 26, 2012. Communities are being warned of the possibility of more flooding after the most intense September storm for decades left homes and businesses flooded and caused widespread chaos. See PA story WEATHER Wet PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday September 26, 2012. Photo credit should read: Owen Humpreys/PA Wire

The fields surrounding Tewkesbury Abbey in Gloucestershire are flooded following countrywide storms.

Flooding in York as the River Ouse continues to rise today following the torrential rainfalls of the past few days.

Natalie Stroughair sandbags a taxi office in York as the River Ouse continues to rise today following the torrential rainfalls of the past few days.

The bridge in the centre of Tadcaster which has been closed as flood waters from the River Wharfe continue rise.

A woman gets a piggy back ride to a Taxi Office in the centre of York, as the River Ouse continues to rise today following the torrential rainfalls of the past few days.

Watching the floodwater rise in York as the River Ouse continues to rise today following the torrential rainfalls of the past few days.

Office workers are evacuated from their premises in York city centre as floodwater rises in York as the River Ouse continues to rise today following the torrential rainfalls of the past few days.

A 26ft (8m) minke whale washed up after gale force winds and high seas at Druridge Bay, Northumberland.

A 26ft (8m) minke whale washed up after gale force winds and high seas at Druridge Bay, Northumberland.

A 26ft (8m) minke whale washed up after gale force winds and high seas at Druridge Bay, Northumberland.

A car drives through flood water on Noahs Ark Lane, Mobberley, Cheshire.

Watching the water levels rise as riverside properties in York are under threat from the River Ouse which continues to rise today following the torrential rainfalls of the past few days.

Natalie Stroughair sandbags a taxi office in York as the River Ouse continues to rise today following the torrential rainfalls of the past few days.

Council workers sandbag riverside properties in York as the River Ouse continues to rise today following the torrential rainfalls of the past few days.

A man looks over rising flood water from the River Wharfe in the centre of Tadcaster, North Yorkshire.

Watching the floodwater rise in York as the River Ouse continues to rise today following the torrential rainfalls of the past few days.

Watching the floodwater rise in York as the River Ouse continues to rise today following the torrential rainfalls of the past few days.

Elevated walkways carry pedestrians over floodwater in York as the River Ouse continues to rise today following the torrential rainfalls of the past few days.

A local riverside resident carries tea to Council workers who were placing sandbags at riverside properties in York as the River Ouse continues to rise today following the torrential rainfalls of the past few days.

A resident of Knaresborough wades through water following flooding from the River Nidd in the town.

A car makes its way through Rickerby Park in Carlisle after more heavy overnight rain.

Water surrounds the 18th green at Stoney Holme golf course in Carlisle after more heavy rain overnight.

Water covers the fairways at Stoney Holme golf course in Carlisle after more heavy overnight rain.

Flood water covers grassy areas of Rickerby Park in Carlisle after more heavy overnight rain.

A cyclist avoids flood water on the closed A34 near Alderley Edge, Cheshire.

A resident of Knaresborough wades through water following flooding from the River Nidd in the town.

A van is forced to turn around after flood water closed the A34 near Alderley Edge, Cheshire.

A cyclist avoids flood water on the closed A34 near Alderley Edge, Cheshire.

A car drives through flood water on Noahs Ark Lane, Mobberley, Cheshire.

A car drives through flood water on Noahs Ark Lane, Mobberley, Cheshire.

Firefighters rescue stranded motorists from a flooded road outside Castleford, West Yorkshire, as persistent heavy downpours continued, causing some areas to experience a whole month's rainfall in just 24 hours.

Firefighters rescue stranded motorists from a flooded road outside Castleford, West Yorkshire, as persistent heavy downpours continued, causing some areas to experience a whole month's rainfall in just 24 hours.

A stranded motorist is helped by a member of the emergency services after being rescued from a flooded road outside Castleford, West Yorkshire, as persistent heavy downpours continued, causing some areas to experience a whole month's rainfall in just 24 hours.

Firefighters rescue stranded motorists from a flooded road outside Castleford, West Yorkshire, as persistent heavy downpours continued, causing some areas to experience a whole month's rainfall in just 24 hours.

Residents look on in Morpeth as the water levels rise near their homes, as persistent heavy downpours continued, causing some areas to experience a whole month's rainfall in just 24 hours.

Firefighters inspect a stranded lorry on a flooded road outside Castleford, West Yorkshire, as persistent heavy downpours continued, causing some areas to experience a whole month's rainfall in just 24 hours.

Firefighters make their way along a flooded road outside Castleford, West Yorkshire, as persistent heavy downpours continued, causing some areas to experience a whole month's rainfall in just 24 hours.

Firefighters make their way along a flooded road outside Castleford, West Yorkshire, as persistent heavy downpours continued, causing some areas to experience a whole month's rainfall in just 24 hours.

Motorists make their way through flood water in Washington, Tyne and Wear, as persistent heavy downpours continued, causing some areas to experience a whole month's rainfall in just 24 hours.

Motorists make their way through flood water in Washington, Tyne and Wear, as persistent heavy downpours continued, causing some areas to experience a whole month's rainfall in just 24 hours.

Residents look on in Chester-Le-Street as the water levels rise near their homes next to the river Wear, as persistent heavy downpours continued, causing some areas to experience a whole month's rainfall in just 24 hours.

Residents look on in Chester-Le-Street as the water levels rise near their homes next to the river Wear, as persistent heavy downpours continued, causing some areas to experience a whole month's rainfall in just 24 hours.

Residents make their way through flood water in Chester-Le-Street, as persistent heavy downpours continued, causing some areas to experience a whole month's rainfall in just 24 hours.

Residents make their way through flood water in Chester-Le-Street, as persistent heavy downpours continued, causing some areas to experience a whole month's rainfall in just 24 hours.

Walkers near Whitby today as torrential rain and gale force winds sweep across much of the UK.

Gale force winds drive waves over the coastal road at Sandsend near Whitby today as torrential rain and gale force winds sweep across much of the UK.

Gale force winds drive waves over the coastal road at Sandsend near Whitby today as torrential rain and gale force winds sweep across much of the UK.

A police officer stands in the rain in Downing Street, London, as commuters were hit by flooding on railways and roads, with warnings of more floods to come as some parts of the country face up to three inches of rain in the next 24 hours.

Gale force winds drive waves over the coastal road at Sandsend near Whitby today as torrential rain and gale force winds sweep across much of the UK.

Gale force winds drive waves over the coastal road at Sandsend near Whitby today as torrential rain and gale force winds sweep across much of the UK.

A man with a broken umbrella walks through Stockport, as commuters were hit by flooding on railways and roads, with warnings of more floods to come as some parts of the country face up to three inches of rain in the next 24 hours.

A man with a broken umbrella walks through Stockport, as commuters were hit by flooding on railways and roads, with warnings of more floods to come as some parts of the country face up to three inches of rain in the next 24 hours.

Gale force winds drive waves over the coastal road at Sandsend near Whitby today as torrential rain and gale force winds sweep across much of the UK.

White capped waves at Whitby today as torrential rain and gale force winds sweep across much of the UK.

Gale force winds drive waves over the coastal road at Sandsend near Whitby today as torrential rain and gale force winds sweep across much of the UK.

Aron Martin, 17, on Marsden beach near South Shields as heavy seas cause lots of foam along the beach.

Giant waves at Sunderland today as the country is hit by gale force winds.

Giant waves at Sunderland today as the country is hit by gale force winds.

Aron Martin, 17, on Marsden beach near South Shields as heavy seas cause lots of foam along the beach.

Giant waves at Sunderland today as the country is hit by gale force winds.

Aron Martin, 17, on Marsden beach near South Shields as heavy seas cause lots of foam along the beach.

Aron Martin, 17, has his hat blown of on Marsden beach near South Shields as heavy seas cause lots of foam along the beach.

Commuters with umbrellas make their way across Millennium Bridge in Bristol, where there has been heavy rain and a MET office weather warning issued for the South West.

Commuters with umbrellas make their way across Millennium Bridge in Bristol, where there has been heavy rain and a MET office weather warning issued for the South West.

Commuters with umbrellas make their way across Millennium Bridge in Bristol, where there has been heavy rain and a MET office weather warning issued for the South West.

Commuters with umbrellas make their way across Millennium Bridge in Bristol, where there has been heavy rain and a MET office weather warning issued for the South West.

Commuters with umbrellas make their way across Millennium Bridge in Bristol, where there has been heavy rain and a MET office weather warning issued for the South West.